Forest Floor, Litter Fall and Nutrient Dynamics in Young aged Shisham Forests in Moist Plain area of Kumaon of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Present paper illustrates the litter and nutrient dynamics of Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.) forests at 1-3 years aged growing in Tarai belt of Kumaon of Uttarakhand. The objectives of this study were to determine the litter inputs, nutrients (NPK) and their dynamics. Shisham is commonly occurred in the nutrient poor site because of their leguminous features. This study was carried out in young aged Shisham forests for the estimation of tree density, forest floor, litter fall and nutrients content and returns. The litter trap methods were used for the estimation of forest floor biomass and litter input. However, the nutrients of litters and soil related parameters were calculated as already mentioned various workers. Tree density was 1111 tree/ha in each forest. The average forest floor mass was 2.54 (2yr) –2.84 t ha-1. Of this, herbaceous live accounted for 12-17 %. Among the litter components, partially and more decomposed litter shared maximum. The litter and herbaceous components was found in increasing and decreasing order with age of stand. The forest floor litter was 3.22(3yr)-3.72(1yr) in rainy, 2.78(3yr)-3.10(1yr) in winter and 1.36(2yr)-2.12(3yr). The annual replacement of forest floor litter ranged from 88-97% with a turnover time 1.03-1.14 year. The turnover rate of different nutrients (NPK) was 47-57%. It was decreased with increase in forest age. The total amount of nutrient return to the soil through litter input was 2.20-12.42 for N, 0.21-1.10 for P and 0.65-3.62 kg h-1 yr-1 for K. It was increased with increase of forest age because of higher amount of litter accumulation. The nutrient use efficiency was (NUE) was 66.2-108.1 for N, 745.6-1202.9 for P and 227.0-361.3 for K. The present findings of young age Shisham forest would be beneficial for the further management study of Shisham forest particularly in relation to the litter and nutrients point of view.